Top Stories
Northern heat wave shouldn’t last long enough to negatively affect crops
A stretch of the Northern U.S. is the path of a ridge of high pressure producing high temperatures hovering around 100 degrees through the week. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the northern portions of the great plains are still experiencing high temperatures that began last week. Despite the extremely hot weather in the northern great plains, the rest of the Midwest including Iowa is experiencing more normal temperatures for this time of year. Rippey says that even in the areas with the...
Senator Grassley discusses tax policy
During his weekly ag conference call with broadcasters and reporters, United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Tuesday was asked for an update on Senate work regarding tax policy. Senator Grassley provided an update on the Senate Finance Committee’s latest...
President Signs EO to increase potash, other mineral production
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to increase domestic production of critical minerals, including potash. The president directed federal agencies to compile lists of pending mineral projects and expedite their review in coordination with the National...
Finding alternatives for Dicamba
Maintaining a stable weed control program is always a challenge, and the upcoming loss of Dicamba for growers in 2025 adds another layer of difficulty. Without this key tool, farmers must explore alternative solutions to manage resistant weeds effectively. Finding...
EPA working towards providing more clarity on WOTUS
The Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule could become clearer soon, as the EPA is now taking steps towards clarifying the WOTUS guidelines by listening to public comments. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall said farmers and ranchers are very...
USMEF producer team explores Mexico market
A team of livestock and grain producers recently traveled with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to Monterrey, Mexico, to participate in the Expo Carnes trade show and for a firsthand look at market conditions. Held every other year in Monterrey, Expo Carnes is...
Cattle inventory breakdown from March Cattle on Feed report
The March Cattle on Feed report from USDA shows another year-over-year decrease in cattle inventory in feedlots in the United States. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell says that the number of placements for the month of February was 18% lower than last year....
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More Ag News
Iowa corn disease pressure builds early
Tar Spot has been detected early in Iowa cornfields, raising concerns for farmers as they prepare to implement their crop protection plans. The fungal disease, which can spread rapidly under the right conditions, is showing up weeks ahead of typical timelines in some...
“Big Beautiful Bill” would exacerbate food insecurity in Iowa
While legislative battles rage on in Washington D.C., food banks across the country are struggling to get enough food to feed those who are in need. Not only are USDA donations halted, but the “Big Beautiful Bill” threatens to cut SNAP benefits if it is passed, which...
Latest hog and pig report shows bearish market conditions for Iowa producers
The latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report indicates bearish market conditions. Total inventory of animals is up compared to the previous report. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the latest report contained some big numbers. On the...
Des Moines Water Works feeling the strain from elevated nitrate levels
On June 12th Central Iowa Water Works issued a residential and commercial lawn watering ban citing strain on water treatment facilities because of elevated nitrate concentration in raw source waters. The press release from CIWW says “Central Iowa Water Works needs to...
ISU Extension and Outreach launches Garden Academy in September
The Iowa Master Gardener Program, along with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will launch Garden Academy in September 2025, providing high-quality gardening education in a refined format for both aspiring Iowa Master Gardeners and home gardening...
